Marist family: promise, fidelity and commitment

UMBRASIL promoted the Brazilian meeting of the Marist Family, held in Ribeirão das Neves, from April 20 – 23. The meeting brought together 70 followers of the mission initiated by the founders of the Society of Mary. Marist priests, sisters, brothers and lay people reflected on the promise, fidelity and commitment.

The welcoming prayer was animated by Brother Rafael Ferreira Júnior, Director of the Center for Marist Studies in Belo Horizonte.

Afterwards, the superior provincial of Brazil Sul-Amazônia and president of UMBRASIL, Inacio Etges, gave the opening address, pointing out that the 200 years invite us to look towards the present and the future.

The assistant general of the Marist Sisters, Sylvette Mané, said that “the celebration recalls the promise of Fourvière made in France. Here we celebrate the prolongation of that promise that we are living. The 12-man dream that has come true is today the dream of this great family.”

Father Jose Roberto Furtuoso, representative of the Marist Fathers in Brazil, reminded us that celebrating 200 years of religious vocation is a manifestation of joy.

Two presentations stood out that were made on April 21: “Fourvière, yesterday and today – promise, fidelity and commitment” and “Marists: life, promise and mission: how do we prophetically live the continuity of the promise in situations of the peripheries?”

In the following link you can access the complete story of the meeting in Portuguese.